Oh my God! What an incredible story, so unique and genuine, and what endearing and loveable characters I encountered in this journey!
Anola Flynn has always known life on a river showboat. She is the lead singer of The River Queen, the family’s showboat -and legacy- that continually travels along the Mississippi River to offer their show to different cities and towns along the river. Unfortunately, this last season has been a struggle to get as many people attending as before. What can she do to save her family’s legacy and the life she’s known all her life?
Emmett Carter has decided -mostly pressed- to join his brother Jacob in a new adventure investing their family inheritance on a steamboat. But before he can really enjoy their new possession, the boat is attacked by river pirates and he is thrown overboard. Left with nothing else but his wet and dirty clothes, he is rescued and accepted by the Flynn family who happen to be anchored right next to where he emerges in the water. Aboard the boat, he is accepted as a workhand while he reports his stolen boat and tries to reach out to his brother, who seems to have a dark plan related with the purchase of the boat.
What he doesn’t expect is to be captivated by The River Queen’s song bird: beautiful, read-headed, strongminded and quirky Anola.
When this new adventure turns into something dangerous, Emmett is afraid to bring his brother’s troubles to this family he’s quickly growing so fond of, and the woman he is desperately falling in love with. How can he keep them safe and help Anola and his family to save their family’s legacy from disappearing?
Oh wow! As I said, this was a fantastic story with everything -really everything- I love in a book present: lovable and relatable main and secondary characters, sweet and clean romance, danger and adventure, mystery and suspense, family drama and laugh out loud scenes and characters! The plot is so unique and with unexpected twists. The setting of the river boat, the shows, the family and crew was so exciting and newfangled!
Anola and Emmett were my favorites. Well, and Anola’s parents and grandparents as well! A quirky, loving family. I loved that they all had each other backs, and they were fierce about protecting the family and the boat. Anola’s personality was so endearing: I loved her optimist and straightforwardness, her courageousness in defending her family and Emmett. She was sunshine to Emmett! And Emmett was a swoony hero! I loved that he was flawed and not perfect, that he made mistakes, but had his heart in the perfect place and always wanted to make things the right way, even if it costed him where his brother was involved. His sweet devotion to Anola was so endearing! I loved how she quickly won Emmett’s heart in spite of her peculiar yet charming ways. She was totally genuine! And I also loved the faith inspired message about trusting God in the midst of the most difficult circumstances, and how she helped Emmett’s faith grow by quoting Bible verses that threw light to what they were experiencing!
All in all, a fantastic historical romance that kept me glued to the pages from page one until the end. I highly recommend it to anyone! You’ll be won over by this adorable family and delighted by their adventures!
I received a complimentary copy from the author but wasn’t required a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.